Intercultural contacts are now a part of the globalised world and occur daily in multicultural societies. As a case in point, Australia is, of course, one of the world’s most multicultural countries. In the era of globalisation, there are an increasing proportion of people from diverse backgrounds in the Australian workforce and educational sectors. Differences in gender, religion, sexual orientation, ability, learning styles, personal values and a host of other factors also contribute to the predictable diversity in our educational and workplace contexts. All these factors mean that teachers, trainers and educators need to consider the learning and teaching implications to respond effectively to the complex needs of the increasing diverse learners. Working with Diversity aims to enhance participants’ awareness of factors contributing to diversity in the global, local and educational contexts and to utilise that critical awareness to build strategies for maximising the possibility of productive diversity in our lives and our own organisational settings. The course also aims to provide participants with the opportunity to critically analyse and professionally apply inclusive diversity principles in our workplace or educational contexts.

Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

You will develop capabilities in communicating effectively online and face to face, establish and work productively and independently and guide your own learning.

Develop awareness of how our cultural mores influence the ways we think, act, learn and teach. Understand the potential value of development of cognitive and behavioural flexibility; positive responses to diversity and in particular reciprocal adaptation to the difference in cultures, human values, practices and other dimensions of diversity

Analyse the benefits of inclusive diversity principles in educational and workplace contexts

Critically evaluate diversity practices and programs in different educational sectors and organisations in the context of an increasingly globalised world;

Relate theoretical and conceptual understandings to the educational contexts with which we are familiar and/or to our personal experience; and

Illustrate reflective and creative application of the effective diversity and inclusion practices and policies into our educational and organisational contexts

Apply diversity management in organisations

Overview of Learning Activities

The course moves through these core themes:

Culture-general learning (what is diversity all about; what is culture; how are people different).

Theories of cultural difference and intercultural sensitivity development

Educational and workplece principles of diversity and inclusivity

Theories of workplace diversity management

Applying the previous themes to the educational/workplace context

In awareness that the classroom may reflect global diversity (including diversity of preferred learning style), a range of learning activities will be used. Learning opportunities will be maximised through your preparation as guided by the facilitator (for example, the completion of weekly readings), and participation in activities and guided discussion. Options for individual study will include reading and reflection. This course aims to strike a balance between structured classes and facilitated online activities with the expectation that participants will actively take responsibility for their own learning especially by independent research, wide reading, analysis and evaluation.

Overview of Learning Resources

Course materials and other resources will be made available via myRMIT Studies and further detail will be delivered at the beginning of the course.

Overview of Assessment

An equivalent of 8,000 words to be submitted throughout the course of the study. The assessments may include online discussion, a reflective journal, literature review or a case study about a particular type of diversity, or an issue involving diversity in your workplace. Assessments will be detailed at the time of course delivery.